Magnetization reversal of a single cobalt cluster using a RF field pulse

Technological improvements require the understanding of dynamical magnetization reversal processes at the nanosecond time scales. In this paper, we present the first magnetization reversal measurements performed on a single cobalt cluster (counting only a thousand of spins), using the micro-superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) technique by applying a constant magnetic field combined with a radio-frequency (RF) field pulse. First of all, we present the different technical steps necessary to detect the magnetic reversals at low temperature (T=35 mK) of a well-defined nanoparticle prepared by low energy clusters beam deposition (LECBD). We previously showed that the three-dimensional (3D)-switching Stoner-Wohlfarth astroid represents the magnetic anisotropy of the nanoparticle. Then, an improved device coupled with a gold stripe line, allow us to reverse such macrospin, using a RF pulse. A qualitative understanding of the magnetization reversal by non-linear resonance has been obtained with the Landau-Lifschitz-Gilbert (LLG) equation.     

Monoclonal antibodies as a tool for structure-function studies of the MDR1-P-glycoprotein

P-glycoprotein is considered one of the most important member of the rapidly growing superfamily of integral proteins known as the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) which in human also include several other multidrug resistance membrane proteins (i.e., MRP), the product of the cystic fibrosis gene, the TAP-1/TAP2 peptide transporters encoded by the major histocompatibility complex genes and the gene encoding for breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) also known as MXR1 (mitoxantrone resistance protein). Many monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reacting with distinct P-glycoprotein domains have been isolated and used to study the molecular organization and cellular functions of this ABC protein. MAbs have been used for multidrug resistance (mdr) gene cloning, delineation of the secondary and tertiary structure of P-glycoprotein and molecular analysis of the mechanisms involved in substrate recognition and transport. The immunodetection of the distinct products of the mdr gene family in normal and malignant cells and tissues has greatly contributed to the understanding of the physiological role of P-glycoprotein and its possible involvement in the refractory of tumors to chemotherapy. The present article deals with the immunological methods used for the structure-function studies of the P-glycoprotein. After introducing the basic structural features of this ABC transporter, the antibody based-approach is discussed with aiming to furnishing methodological perspectives for further investigations of the physiological role of P-glycoprotein and the multidrug resistance phenomenon.     

Deviations from perfect memory in spin glass temperature cycling experiments

We study the deviations from perfect memory in negative temperature cycle spin glass experiments. It is known that the a.c. susceptibility after the temperature is raised back to its initial value is superimposed to the reference isothermal curve for large enough temperature jumps ΔT (perfect memory). For smaller ΔT, the deviation from this perfect memory has a striking non monotonous behavior: the `memory anomaly' is negative for small ΔT's, becomes positive for intermediate ΔT's, before vanishing for still larger ΔT's. We show that this interesting behavior can be reproduced by simple Random Energy trap models. We discuss an alternative interpretation in terms of droplets and temperature chaos. Received 23 May 2002 Published online 14 October 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: sasaki@ipno.in2p3.fr     

Stabilité élastique des structures unidimensionnelles

In this paper, we consider the problem of stability of one-dimensional structures and give a general formulation by means of the energy method. We propose then a numerical method of deriving the critical rate requiring eigenvalues of a sequence of small matrices rather than of a big one.

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Cet article est le résumé d'une thèse présentée à l'Ecole Polytechnique de l'Université de Lausanne [17]. Je tiens à exprimer ma vive gratitude au ProfesseurCh. Blanc, directeur de l'Institut de Mathématiques Appliquées, dont les conseils et encouragements m'ont été très précieux.     

Specific heat and magnetic susceptibility at low temperature of two conductive TCNQ salts

The specific heat measurements between 1.4 and 4.4 K of acridinium (TCNQ)₂ and quinolinium (TCNQ)₂ salts show up a linear component; moreover, in presence of a strong magnetic field (H = 40kG), an artificial Schottky anomaly is revealed. Magnetic susceptibility experiments confirm the simultaneous existence of charge carriers, in a partially filled energy band, and localized paramagnetic centers. A standard energy band model is proposed to interpret these two properties.     

Isoelectronic trap transitions in GaAs1−xPx:N in the region of resonant enhancement (ENN ∼ EΓ, 0.3<x<0.4)

For GaAs_1?xP_x:N crystal composition x < 0.8, the distinction between NN₁ and NN₃ transitions becomes blurred. Photoluminescence measurements on N-doped GaAs_1?xP_x layers (0.3 < x < 0.4) and, for comparison, on the same vapor epitaxial crystals with the N-doped layer removed, indicate that the NN₃ transition reappears (and thus also the NN₁ transition) as E_NN3 approaches E_Γ. This is attributed to the resonant enhancement that occurs when E_NN ～ E_Γ.     

Magnetic anisotropy of a single cobalt nanocluster

Using a new micro-SQUID setup, we investigate magnetic anisotropy in a single 1000-atom cobalt cluster. This system opens new fields in the characterization and understanding of the origin of magnetic anisotropy in such nanoparticles. For this purpose, we report three-dimensional switching field measurements performed on a 3 nm cobalt cluster embedded in a niobium matrix. We are able to separate the different magnetic anisotropy contributions and evidence the dominating role of the cluster surface.     

Finite size effects on structure and magnetism in mass-selected CoPt nanoparticles

In this paper, the one-way absorption property in one-dimensional dielectric/metal photonic crystal structure with a dielectric defect layer is studied. The effects of incident angle and state of polarization on one-way absorption behaviour of the anti-resonant (AR) mode are investigated. The normally incident wave from left to right propagation is totally allowed to penetrate to the structure but right to left propagation totally reflected at the same wavelength. It is found that, with increasing of the incident angle, the AR mode shifts to the lower wavelengths and its intensity decreases. Simultaneously, another AR mode with reversed one-way property appears at higher wavelength. The one-way behaviour on absorption is observed at the both states of polarizations but is localized on different wavelengths. Those effects, are suggesting that the proposed structure can be used as a direction sense polarization splitter or reflector/antireflector device.